Ando’s Shout: Does Greg Williams’s appointment bring Ross Lyon closer to coaching job at Carlton?

He’s a Carlton legend and rates Ross Lyon. New Blues football director Greg Williams looms as a crucial piece in the Princes Park jigsaw puzzle.

Women of Carlton – Dinner with the Boys. Judy Mullen, President of Women of Carlton, with her mother Vivienne Kerr – Number 1 Carlton ticket holder.

Do not underestimate the magnitude of Greg Williams’s appointment as Carlton’s new football director.

The 57-year-old’s appointment is regarded as just as important as the new coach, a decision he will play a major role in determining. And that is a positive for Ross Lyon given Williams rates the former Saints and Dockers coach highly.

In 2021, in particular, the previous football director in Chris Judd was not a forceful figure in that role.

Williams on the other hand will be much more hands-on, especially in midfield matters, a position in which he forged one of the finest careers in VFL/AFL history.

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Alastair Clarkson is believed to seen enough in Carlton’s list to guarantee a genuine run at success.

And that will include teaching players when to attack and where to run, areas they seemed uncertain in this season. Liam Stocker will be a key part of those plans given Williams is an unabashed fan.

A week ago, the Blues genuinely believed they were on the cusp of announcing Alastair Clarkson as their coaching saviour before the four-time Hawthorn premiership mentor said no to throwing himself back into the furnace.

Clarkson, 53, is said to have seen enough in Carlton’s list to guarantee a genuine run at success over the next three to four years, and his desire for more flags was clear.

But ultimately a lack of board stability and the threat of an extraordinary general meeting were contributing factors in his decision to walk away from the game for at least a year.

His potential availability raised the question at Carlton as to whether an interim coach be put in place for a season to keep the seat warm for Clarkson, but the club’s preference is for the right person to begin a long-term campaign as soon as possible.

As for further changes at Carlton, expect at least one more significant off-field removal to come.

Carlton’s new football director Greg Williams is certain to adopt a more hands-on roll.

‘GOOD LUCK, YOU’RE PLAYING ON RICKY’

Further to last week’s story titled “The Bash Brothers”, which detailed the feared 1972-74 forward line pairing of Rick McLean and Neil Balme at Richmond.

South Melbourne full-back Tony Franklin was mentioned as someone who had “king hit” McLean in a game at the Lake Oval in 1974, which Franklin recalls as an incorrect account of proceedings.

“I was just a skinny kid from Penguin in Tasmania finding my way, but I remember a few teammates laughing and saying, ‘Good luck’ on the Thursday night when our coach Graeme John explained I would be playing on Ricky McLean,” Sydney-based Franklin said with a chuckle.

“I found out why before the ball had been bounced when Rick gave me the best backhander, spreading my nose across my face. The VFL launched an investigation where I helped get Rick off, as you did in those days.”

BLUES ICON OFFICIALLY STEPS DOWN

Carlton’s long-serving No. 1 female ticket holder Vivienne Kerr has officially resigned from a position she was awarded 20 years ago.

Vivienne, who at 91 is the mother of nine, grandmother of 35 and great-grandmother of 38, was married to Carlton Team of the Century member and club powerbroker Laurie Kerr until his death in 2001.

She is part of a dynasty that has seen three generations play senior football with the Blues, from Laurie to his son, Peter, and grandson, Patrick.

VAFA TO PUSH ON IN COVID UNCERTAINTY

The VAFA remains committed to finals action despite the increasing uncertainty around Covid.

The Amateurs will hold a meeting on Monday where options will be discussed, with Saturdays on September 11, 18 and 25 all still on the table. As for promotion/relegation, no decisions will be made until the completion of the season.

Ted Dexter rolls his arm over in the nets. The England was better known for his batting exploits.

ENGLAND LOSES ANOTHER BIG WICKET

The death of “Lord” Ted Dexter this week robbed England of another great batsman from the 1960s, with Geoff Boycott the remaining legend from a group that contained Ken Barrington, Colin Cowdrey, Basil D’Oliveira, John Edrich, Tom Graveney and Peter May.

Alternatively, the Aussies are faring far better with Ian Chappell, Bob Cowper, Neil Harvey, Bill Lawry, Ian Redpath, Paul Sheahan, Bob Simpson, Keith Stackpole and Doug Walters still kicking.

HOT

ANGE POSTECOGLU

Celtic fans aren’t asking “Ange who?” any longer.

WAYNE HUGHES

The perceptive recruiter who gave Eddie Betts his chance in 2004.

NOT

MINOR PREMIERSHIP

Given the lack of reward, surely this term is redundant in the AFL world.

LAMONT MARCEL JACOBS

Wins Olympic 100m track gold then takes the year off … mmmm!!!

Originally published as Ando’s Shout: Does Greg Williams’s appointment bring Ross Lyon closer to coaching job at Carlton?